Rohit Sharma century propels India to ODI series-clinching win over England

Chasing 305 for victory, Rohit's 90-ball innings, featuring 12 fours and seven sixes, led India to a comfortable win with 33 balls to spare in Cuttack, taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The series serves as a warm-up ahead of the 50-over Champions Trophy, set to start on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Rohit, marking his 32nd ODI century, reached the milestone in 76 balls, including a six off leg-spinner Adil Rashid. He shared a crucial 136-run partnership with opening partner Shubman Gill. After a quiet start with just two runs in the opening match, Rohit unleashed a flurry of boundaries.

A 20-minute break due to a floodlight failure didn't affect his momentum as he reached fifty and broke free from a lean patch following India's recent Test series defeat in Australia. Rohit had averaged just 10.37 in his last 16 innings across all formats in the 2024-25 season.

Rohit, who played a range of shots including his signature pull, was eventually dismissed by Liam Livingstone's leg-spin and walked off to a standing ovation.

Vice-captain Gill, who made 60, struck his second consecutive half-century in 45 balls after scoring 87 in the opening win. However, he was dismissed by Jamie Overton, and India lost Virat Kohli, who had missed the first match due to a sore right knee, when he was caught behind for five off Rashid.

India faced some resistance in the middle overs, but Shreyas Iyer's 44 and an unbeaten 41 from Axar Patel guided India to victory.

Earlier, Ben Duckett and Joe Root were the standout performers for England, scoring 65 and 69 respectively, to help their team post 304 all out in 49.5 overs. India's Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-35.

Duckett came out aggressively, adding 81 runs with opening partner Phil Salt, who made 26. Duckett reached his fifty off just 36 balls before Salt became debutant spinner Varun Chakravarthy's first ODI wicket. Duckett was dismissed by Jadeja, visibly disappointed after being bowled out.

Harry Brook joined Root, who was playing his second ODI since returning after the 2023 World Cup. The pair shared a 66-run third-wicket partnership, but Brook was dismissed for 31 after a stunning catch by Gill running backwards from mid-on, off the bowling of fast bowler Harshit Rana.

Root continued his steady innings, adding 51 runs with captain Jos Buttler before England lost three quick wickets. However, Livingstone's 41 helped England reach a competitive total.

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